Independence Day indeed: the best indie shopping in celebration of the original 13

Of course today isn’t just about barbecues, sparklers, and if you’re lucky, a big fireworks display that kicks off a four-day weekend. It’s about those awesome forefathers (and foremothers, ahem) of ours who transformed the original 13 colonies into the beginnings of our beloved US of A.

In their honor–and in honor of independence–we present 13 outstanding indie, new-to-us Etsy shops that we’re happy to support, one from each of the original 13. -Liz

[After the jump, check out 13 can’t-miss Etsy artists from up and down the East Coast]

New Jersey: BubbledogThis shop is like kawaii central, with adorable accessories, tees, mirrors, artwork, stationery, and maybe my favorite, these ice pop pillows. Great shop to bookmark for tweens and teens in your life.

Delaware: Modern Designs by VKGVirginia Geiger’s handmade jewelry is indeed modern, subtle, and so so pretty. It’s a small selection but everything looks so nicely done.

Massachusetts: Leili DesignHer hand-thrown ceramics are really special. All one-of-a-kind featuring bold graphics, you’ll want to pull them out for every dinner party you have–or better, never put them away.

Pennsylvania: DeckstoolThis cool shop uses upcycled skateboards to make all kinds of very cool furniture and gifts. They can even make custom pieces out of your own busted decks.

New York: Arks and AnimalsThis upstate New York shop features tons of wonderful handmade wooden animals and pull toys from anacondas to whales. Also an awesome dragon. And I love that he describes it as “for girls and boys.” Our daughters thank you.

Virginia: Milk and Honey LuxuriesSara Parker of Richmond collects vintage flatware then handstamps it with all kind of cute sayings. (I might be partial to “Coffee, stat.”) Lots of paired sets too, which make thoughtful gifts for anniversaries and engagement parties.

Maryland: Steenhagen StudiosThis is like steampunk central, with dozens of cufflinks, necklaces and even bobby pins, all made from vintage watch innards. The craftsmanship is really astounding and the prices range from super affordable to whoaaaa…

South Carolina: Corrine CitroloCorrine’s shop, The Fresh Stitch, is filled with adorable baby bibs and burp cloths, and clearly, chevron is the thing right now (though there are other fun fabrics too). They’re all backed by an organic cotton terry which is a nice detail, and the prices are amazing.

New Hampshire: The Botanical BThis is my kind of shop, filled with natural, organic herbal products from baby salves and clove teething oils to beeswax candles, and skincare just for mama. I bet they smell as good as they look.

Rhode Island: Parrot Design StudioIn Providence, this awesome letterpress shop turns out gorgeous cards for every occasion, that make you want to commit to sending more correspondence with actual stamps.

North Carolina: EcoCycledNeece and Jeff lovingly rescue old books from certain demise, restore the pages, and upcycle them into art with printed designs over top ranging from Alice in Wonderland to Star Wars characters to Totoro.

Sikiu Miller-Perez takes her inspiration from notebook and graph papers, creating nifty, affordable clay jewelry. It’s all cleverly designed with cheeky phrases that take you back to your days of doodling hearts in the margins during chemistry class.